The Shadow
The Alleghany Co./City of Covington Sheriffs Office is pleased to announce the purchase and installation of a Tek84 Intercept full body scanner at the Alleghany Regional Jail. This acquisition was made possible in conjunction with ARPA funds from Alleghany County and the City of Covington using the 76%-24% funding formula. The total cost was $161,500 with Alleghany Co. paying $119,510, and Covington’s share being $41, 990. Tek84 is proudly made in the USA, competing products are imported from China, Brazil. Belanus, and Western Europe. This full body scanner is used for an external and internal search. Detects both metallic and nonmetallic threats, including weapons, drugs, cell phones and other contraband. Screens from below the feet to above the head, revealing items under the clothing and within the body.
Intercept is a true breakthrough. Other scanners require the person to stand for 7-14 seconds on a moving conveyor belt or platform, transporting them horizontally through the x-ray beam. Intercept’s patented technology is different; the subject remains stationary, while the scanning apparatus moves vertically around them. This is better because subjects may be intoxicated, handcuffed, and combative. It does a quick 3.8 second scan and with it only34″ deep and 72″ wide it can fit in a small space. Federal standards require a safety zone around body scanners, where operators and bystanders are prohibited during operation. This is typically a 20′ diameter circle around other scanners. lntercept’s unique construction allows sophisticated internal radiation shielding, making the safety zone nothing more than the footprint of the scanner. Extremely safe to use and is regulated by the FDA. Airport body scanners only detect items hidden under the clothing, not within the body. Intercept is different, transmitting a weak x-ray beam completely through the subject. The scanned images appear similar to medical exams, but use less than 1 % of the x-ray level. Federal safety standards allow each person to be screened up to 1,000 times per year on the lowest setting, allowing daily use. lntercept’s highest setting produces more detailed images, with up to 125 scans per year. The built-in camera provides a positive match between the subject and their scanned image. The thermal sensor also measures the person’s body temperature, detects fevers.
The Alleghany Regional Jail staff users received two hours training on June 14-15. The managers, and super users received two and a half hours training the same day. All training was provided by personnel from Tek84 San Diego California who are medically certified in radiology.
The final phase prior to a July I, 2023 implementation during jail intake is the written policy and a certification by the Virginia Department of Health which is scheduled for June 27.
The staff and I want to thank the Alleghany Co. Board of Supervisors and the Covington City Council for helping make our jobs safer with the purchase of this equipment.
